In a significant geopolitical development with far-reaching implications, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to participate in US President Donald Trump’s newly announced Board of Peace, marking Israel’s formal entry into an ambitious and unconventional global conflict mediation initiative. The decision, confirmed on January 21, 2026, comes after initial hesitation from Netanyahu’s office over the inclusion of Turkey, a country Israel considers a regional rival, on the executive committee of the proposed body.

The move places Israel among the earliest supporters of what Donald Trump has described as a transformative alternative to traditional multilateral institutions, signalling a new phase in global diplomacy shaped by deal-making, economic leverage, and personalised leadership. For Israel, the decision underscores a calculated diplomatic strategy that balances regional sensitivities with broader global influence.

From Regional Ceasefire to Global Ambition

The Board of Peace initiative was initially conceptualised as a compact leadership group tasked with overseeing the fragile Gaza ceasefire. However, according to sources familiar with the discussions, the scope of the initiative expanded rapidly under Trump’s direction. What began as a focused Middle East stabilisation mechanism has now evolved into a global platform aimed at mediating conflicts worldwide, positioning itself as a rival framework to the United Nations Security Council.

This evolution reflects Donald Trump’s long-standing criticism of existing multilateral institutions, which he has often described as inefficient, overly bureaucratic, and disconnected from real-world power dynamics. By proposing a new structure anchored in financial commitment, executive authority, and selective membership, Trump is attempting to reshape the architecture of global conflict resolution.

Netanyahu’s Initial Concerns and Strategic Reversal

Benjamin Netanyahu’s participation was not immediate. According to diplomatic sources, Netanyahu’s team initially objected strongly to Turkey’s proposed role within the executive framework of the Board of Peace. Relations between Israel and Turkey have remained tense over the years, marked by disagreements over Gaza, regional influence, and ideological alignment.

Despite these concerns, Netanyahu ultimately chose to greenlight the invitation from Trump, reflecting Israel’s broader strategic calculations. The decision suggests that Jerusalem views participation in the Board of Peace as an opportunity to shape outcomes from within, rather than remaining outside a forum that could gain significant international traction.

For Israel, joining early ensures a seat at the table during the formative stages of the initiative, allowing it to influence decision-making, safeguard national interests, and counterbalance the presence of countries it views as adversarial.

Confirmed Members and Expanding Invitations

With Netanyahu’s acceptance, Israel joins a growing list of confirmed participants that already includes the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Hungary, Argentina, and Belarus. The diversity of this group highlights the unconventional nature of the Board of Peace, blending Middle Eastern partners, emerging economies, and European and Latin American states.

In addition to confirmed members, invitations have reportedly been extended to several other influential nations and blocs, including Paraguay, Canada, Egypt, Turkey, Russia, India, Slovenia, Thailand, and the European Union. The Kremlin has acknowledged receiving an invitation, stating that it is currently reviewing the details following President Vladimir Putin’s inclusion.

The outreach to such a wide range of countries indicates Trump’s ambition to create a broad yet selective coalition, cutting across traditional geopolitical alignments and appealing to leaders willing to engage in a new style of diplomacy.

A Controversial Funding and Governance Model

One of the most debated aspects of the Board of Peace is its proposed funding and governance structure. A draft charter, which has circulated among invitees, reportedly grants Donald Trump a central leadership role, with significant decision-making authority vested in the chair.

Permanent membership is said to be available in exchange for a financial commitment of up to US$ 1 billion, a model that has sparked intense debate among diplomats and analysts. Supporters argue that such a structure ensures seriousness of intent, financial sustainability, and swift action. Critics, however, warn that it risks turning global peace-making into an elite, pay-to-play arrangement that sidelines smaller or less wealthy nations.

Despite these concerns, several countries appear willing to engage, reflecting both curiosity and pragmatic interest in exploring alternatives to existing international mechanisms.

Executive Leadership: Diplomacy Meets Business

The executive board of the Board of Peace features a high-profile lineup of political, diplomatic, and corporate leaders, underscoring Trump’s belief in blending statecraft with business acumen. Key figures include US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump’s trusted envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner, who played a central role in the Abraham Accords during Trump’s earlier presidency.

Also named are former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, Apollo Global Management CEO Marc Rowan, World Bank President Ajay Banga, and Trump’s deputy National Security Advisor Robert Gabriel. This combination of policymakers, financiers, and global administrators reflects a deliberate attempt to integrate diplomatic negotiation with economic incentives and reconstruction planning.

For Israel, the presence of figures like Kushner and Blair, both familiar with Middle Eastern dynamics, adds credibility and reassurance to the initiative.

The Gaza Executive Board and Phase Two Implementation

Running parallel to the broader Board of Peace is a specialised Gaza Executive Board, tasked with overseeing the stringent second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement. This phase includes some of the most complex and sensitive components of post-conflict stabilisation, such as the deployment of international forces, disarmament of Hamas, and the reconstruction of Gaza’s infrastructure and economy.

The Gaza Executive Board will be chaired by Nickolay Mladenov, a former United Nations Middle East envoy with extensive experience in the region. Its membership includes Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, Tony Blair, Marc Rowan, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Qatar’s Ali Al-Thawadi, Egypt’s Hassan Rashad, UAE’s Reem Al-Hashimy, Israeli businessman Yakir Gabay, and senior UN official Sigrid Kaag.

This structure aims to ensure operational focus while integrating regional stakeholders who wield influence on the ground. For Israel, participation in this board is particularly significant, as it directly affects security outcomes and post-conflict arrangements in Gaza.

Palestinian Technocrats and Governance Transition

An important component of the Gaza plan involves the creation of a committee of Palestinian technocrats tasked with managing Gaza’s daily administrative functions. This move seeks to separate governance from militant control, laying the groundwork for stability, reconstruction, and eventual political transition.

While details remain limited, the inclusion of technocrats reflects lessons drawn from past reconstruction efforts, where lack of administrative capacity and political fragmentation hindered progress. Israel’s involvement in shaping this mechanism underscores its interest in ensuring that any future governance structure in Gaza aligns with security and stability objectives.

Davos as the Global Stage

Donald Trump is expected to unveil further details about the Board of Peace at the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 22, 2026. Davos, with its concentration of global leaders, business executives, and policy influencers, provides an ideal platform to showcase the initiative and attract additional participants.

The timing is strategic. By linking the announcement to Davos, Trump positions the Board of Peace not just as a diplomatic body but as a global governance innovation, appealing to leaders seeking pragmatic solutions amid rising geopolitical fragmentation.

For Netanyahu, the Davos reveal offers an opportunity to align Israel with a forward-looking, high-visibility initiative, reinforcing its image as a proactive global actor rather than a regional player alone.

Implications for Israel’s Foreign Policy

Israel’s decision to join the Board of Peace reflects a broader recalibration of its foreign policy in a rapidly changing world. With traditional multilateral institutions facing legitimacy challenges and great power competition intensifying, Israel appears keen to diversify its diplomatic engagements.

Participation allows Israel to engage directly with a wide spectrum of countries, from emerging economies to established powers, while also strengthening ties with the United States under Trump’s leadership. It also complements Israel’s growing network of partnerships in the Middle East, particularly following the Abraham Accords.

At the same time, the move carries risks. Association with an untested and controversial initiative could expose Israel to criticism, especially if the Board of Peace is perceived as undermining existing international norms. Netanyahu’s decision suggests that Israeli leadership believes the potential benefits outweigh these concerns.

Global Reactions and Future Outlook

Reactions to the Board of Peace have been mixed. Supporters see it as a bold experiment that could inject flexibility and accountability into global conflict mediation. Critics argue that it risks fragmenting international efforts and concentrating power in the hands of a few.

Much will depend on how the initiative is implemented, how transparent its processes become, and whether it can deliver tangible results in conflicts such as Gaza. The inclusion of diverse actors and the promise of substantial funding could give it momentum, at least in the short term.

As more countries respond to invitations and details emerge at Davos, the Board of Peace will face its first real test: translating ambition into action.

Conclusion

Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to join Donald Trump’s Board of Peace marks a notable shift in Israel’s diplomatic engagement, highlighting a willingness to participate in unconventional global initiatives despite regional sensitivities. From its origins in the Gaza ceasefire to its transformation into a potential rival to established international institutions, the Board of Peace represents an ambitious attempt to redefine how conflicts are managed in an increasingly complex world.

For Israel, early participation offers influence, visibility, and strategic opportunity. For the international community, the coming months will reveal whether Trump’s vision can evolve from a bold concept into a credible force for global stability.

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